Creating an effective academic CV

Academic CVs should only be used for academic applications and have a unique format. The key extra features compared to general CVs are more focus on:

publications

your research activities

funding awarded.

Although academic CVs are longer than other types of CVs, no more than four pages is often recommended. There is variation in the expected format in different countries, so try to find out what is expected. Here is some general guidance on creating your academic CV.

Tailor your academic CV for every application. Analyse the job description and specification, if available. Your CV needs to present strong evidence that you fulfil the job requirements

Highlight your academic achievements and research interests. Find out as much as you can about the research area you are applying to, so you understand how your expertise complements theirs and can judge their familiarity with technical language of your research area

Keep jargon to a minimum and write with clarity. Spell out your qualifications, research, publications and any other relevant information. Describe your contribution to publications, particularly high impact publications. See the section on writing a statement of research interest. Don't be modest

Publications: a reverse chronological list is a prerequisite, best presented as an appendix. Include journal articles, books or chapters of books, reports and patents

Research experience: in reverse chronological order. Emphasise specialist/technical expertise, IT skills, plus any skills required for the job. including project and people management

Education: in reverse chronological order. Focus on higher education onwards. Include awards and scholarships. Include the name of your doctoral supervisor and funding body, if appropriate

Funding: include awards for research projects or to attend meetings or conferences, prizes. Include the amount of money allocated, where useful

Teaching experience: include lecturing, supervision, demonstrating, curriculum development, seminar and group work, assessment etc. especially if teaching is in the job description

Administrative experience -. Highlight any positions of responsibility, event and course organisation, committee membership, etc, especially if administration features in the job description.

Professional qualifications: membership of learned societies or professional bodies

Professional development activities, including any training undertaken - eg teaching and learning qualifications, specialist research or analytical techniques, time management, academic writing, research supervision

Attendance at conferences and seminars - highlight any invitations to present, provide papers or posters

References - details of two or three referees (usually at least two academic). Ask for permission first

Outside interests are unlikely to be relevant.

Make sure other people read your CV. They will pick up on whether it is clear, any spelling mistakes etc. Consider asking:

Do not use the academic CV format to apply for non-academic jobs: use a chronological CV or competency-based CV.

Researchers’ academic CVs examples

Six researchers’ experiences and capabilities presented as academic CVs These are fictional examples, but they are all modelled on real successful examples of CVs. They show different approaches to presenting a range of experience, subject and style.

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